Dishwashing machine



April 1933- E. s. STODDARD 1,905,523

DISHWASHING MACHINE I Filed April 21, 1928 s Sheets-Sheet 1' IRUenW A Q gar$ Siva'dard.

. J5 wwgwum s April 25, 1933-. E. s. STODDARD 1,905,523

DIDSHWASHING MACHINE- Filed April 21, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 25, 1933. E. s. STODDARD DISHWASHING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet -55 Filed April 2L, 1928 6 Jtoddard Patented Apr. 25,1933

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

EDGAR S. STODDARD, OF BERWYN, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T0 TIIE COITOVER .COMP ANY,

- OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,-A C01R,IEOIR..A.'I'ION OF ILLINOIS msnwasnme MACHINE Application filed April 21,

This invention relates to improvements in dish washing machines, and it more particularly relates to improved rack arrangements for holding the objects to be washed on the interior of the machine. V

An object of this invention is to provide an improved rack arrangement which is adapted to support and retain all the dishes, saucers, cups, glasses, silverware, etc. in the interior of the washing chamber so as to obtain an economical utilization of the space within such washing chamber.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved rack arrangement which is adapted .to position all the articles to be cleansed and rinsed so that all surfaces thereof will be effectively exposed to the cleansing and rinsing liquids when the machine is in operation. 7

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved rack arrangement which is self-cleansing and which will be cleansed and rinsed at the same'time as the articles which it contains.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an'improved rack arrangement for dish washing machines of the spray projection type.

Other objects will appear during the course of the following specification.

Although this invention is broadly directed to improvements in connection with all dishwashing machines, it is especially directed to improvements to be used in connection with the centrifugal spray-projector type of washing machines, which are more fully described and shown in the U. S. Letters Patcnt No. 1,679,465, issued August 7, 1928.

The functioning of this type of machine depends upon the operation of a small unencased screw-like impeller, with spiral blades, which impeller rotates at a high velocity of the order of 1,000 to 2,000 R. P. M. in the lower part of the tank of the machine. Only the lower part of this impeller is immersed in the shallow liquid pool in the lower part of the tank. The shallow liquid pool in the lower part of the machine is main tained in relatively quiescent condition during the operation of the machine. As it turns,

1928. Serial No. 271,681.

the impeller elevates the liquid from its lower spiral screw portions to its upper concaveprojectors which throw the cleansing liquid and most eflicient use of soap and water. The

projected spray of liquid at the same time keeps the interior of the tank of the machine clean and causes all the food particles and other solid matter to collect at the bottom of the casing from whence they can be readily removed. In the operation of this unencased impeller, it is important that oifly the lower portion of the impeller be immersed in water, since if the impeller be totally immersed, it will not result in an efficient cleansing action. In view of the fact that the dishes and other objects are kept out of contact with the body of liquid contained in the bottom of the tank, and the cleansing is solely due to contact with the projected mass of liquid, it is important that the proper operating conditions be maintained for producing such a cleansing action:

The following drawings illustrate one embodiment of the invention as applied to the centrifugal spray propector-type of dishwashing machines, to which the invention is by no means restricted. I

Figure 1 represents a sectional elevational view of the washing machine-with the racks in position.

Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5 represent sectional ele- I vations of the racks when separated and removed from the machine.

. Figures 6 and 7' represent top views of the upper and lower racks respectively when removed from the machine.

Figure 8 represents a top View of the impeller guard removed from the tank of the dishwashingmachine.

In Figure 1 the washing machine is composed of a vertical cylindrical tank 11 which is provided with a cover 12 and three symtion'of the .tank is positioned the impeller V terminate at one of the inner rings.

metrically positioned legs 13 which ride upon the rollers 14 so that the washing machine can be readily moved from place to place. The tank is provided with two strengthening ribs 15 and 16 the former being adjacent to the top and the latter adjacent to the bottom thereof, and it is also provided with a centrally draining bottom 17 which may take the shape of an inverted frustrated cone. To the lowest portion of the centrally draining bottom is attached awell chamber 20 in the lowest compartment 21 of which. is positioned a centrifugal pump 22. The cleansing and rinsing liquids are adapted to be admitted to the tank by the adjustable swinging conduit 25 which finds admittance to the tank at 26 or 27 depending upon the position of the valve 28. To the upper compartment of the well chamber 20 is also connected the indicating column 30 which is provided with a gauge chamber 31. In. the lowest central porwhich is driven by the motor 36. The motor is in part suspended from the tank by means of the well casting 20 and is in part supported from the legs by means of the spider 37. The

lid 12 is provided with a vent 40v and with a sliding rod 41 which is adapted to support the lid when in inverted horizontal position.

The upper rack structure 50 is shown in position in the tankin Figure 1 and is shown removed therefrom in Figures 2, 3 and 6.

The uplper rack structure ism'ade in two parts an consists of an interior rack 52,

shown separately in Fig. 2, and an exterior.

rack 53,.shown separately in Fig. 3. The interior upper rack 52 (see Figures 1 and 6) hangs upon a concentric ring 54 (which is the inner edge of the exterior upper rack) by the overhanging portion of the three radial main sup ort wires 55. The other radial wires 56 of t e interior upper rack terminate at and are welded tothe outer concentric ring 57. The radial wires 55 and 56 are also welded to intermediate concentric rings 57 and 58 and the resulting network serves to support dishes placed thereon. The three radial main support wires 55 come together to a point 60 at the center of the inner upper rack 52 and are welded together. The other radial wires 56 terminate at one of the inner rings 58. The

construction may be modified so that the ra-' dial wires 56 will also come to the point 60 and be welded together there or they mayr 91.111

e welded network of radial wires 55 and 56 and concentric wires 58 forms an upwardly extending cone, the point 60 being at the apex and the outermost concentric ring 58 being approximately the circumference of the base.

The welded network-of radial wires 55 and 56 and concentric wires 57 forms a side wall which is in theshape of a downwardly pointing frusto-conic'al section. The overhanging portions of the main radial wires 55 are so positioned that the conical bottom is slightl lower than the-inner ring 54 of the outer me upon which it is supported but not sufliciently and so that collected moisture will readily- .drain away'from the upwardly facing bottoms of such vessels and dishes.

The height of the frusto-conical section formed by the network of radial wires 55 and 56 and concentric wires 57 is sufiicient to pre vent the deep vessels placed in such rack' from being overturned by the pressure of the projected spray. The inner upper rack .52is provided with the wire handles 61.

The outer upper rack 53 (see Figures 1, 3 and 6) is formed of a network of wires composed of the radial wires 65and the concen-' tric wire rings 54 and 66. Therack is composed of an inner upwardly pointed frustoconical section joined to an intermediate downwardly pointing frusto-conical section which is in turn joined to an outer cylindrical section. The inner upwardly pointing frusto-conical section is so pitched at about an angle of 35 to 45 as to enable the projected spray to encounter the middle of the basin portions of the articles resting thereupon perpendicularly and as to enable the back portions of such articles to drain readily. The intermediate downwardly extending conical section and the vertical cylindrical section will prevent the articles from overturning.

The outer upper rack 53 is suspendedby a circular angle iron 70 which is adapted to rest upon the upper strengthening head 15.

of the tank 11. The angle iron is slightly raised from the supporting bead.15 by means of small wires or spacers 71 which are welded to the horizontal underside of the supporting angle iron ring 70. They are positioned symmetrically around the underside so that the angular ring will be sufliciently spaced from the supporting bead 15 as to enable the spray to remove any food or dirt particles collecting there. Preferably three or more of these spacers are used. The outer upper rack is provided with the wire handles 72.

The upper racks are designed to hold the cups, glasses and deep vessels which are usually placed thereon with their basin portions downward. It will be noted that the basin portions of these articles will face toward the impeller to a greater or less degree so that the cleansing spray will'strike them in a most effective manner. In the case of such vessels it is preferred that their basin portions be turned toward the cleansing projected stream so that the stream will strike the center inside bottom of the basin portions perpendicularly and then will be thrown out toward the sides of the basin portions. The outer portions of these objects which are more readily cleansed will be struck by the returning spray. The center portion of the upper rack 52 or the complete upper rack 50 can be removed and placed in the cover 12 when the same is turned back in inverted horizontal position. The dishes can be conveniently placed in such rack while it is positioned in such cover. The rack with its charge of dishes, after washing and rinsing with hot water, can also be placed in suchinverted cover for drying purposes. The inner upper rack 52 can be removed without moving the outer upper rack 53'and in. this manner ready access can be had to the lower rack 51 and to the bottom of the tank. In the network making up the racks 52 and 53 it will be noted that the concentric rings 54, 57 58 and 66 are welded on top of the radial wires 55, 56 and 65. If desired, however,'the concentric rings may be placed below and the radial wires above.

The lower rack 51 is adapted to hold the dishes and knives, forks and spoons during the cleansing operation. The rack 51- may be supported upon the bottom of the tank by the four symmetrically positioned legs 7.5 or/ and the impeller guard member 100. Preferably the lower rack is supported on the legs 75 when in place in the machine. The

legs 75 are also attached for supporting therack when it is outside of the tank so as to prevent any of the downwardly projecting portions of the dishes from being chipped and otherwise marred. These legs also form a convenient means of supporting the rack on uneven surfaces such as fluted drain boards. Three legs or a larger number may be utilized.

The lower rack contains a special perforated sheet metal holder 80 which is positioned in such a manner that knives, forks and spoons will receive the full effect of the cleansing spray. The height of the holder 80 is such that those portions of the knives, forks and spoons which come into contact with the food will be exposed to the direct action of the water Without interference by the supporting screens. The perforated sheet metal holder 80 is provided with the handles 81.

Joined to the terminal ends of the wire 91 is a U-shaped offset wire 109, the bottom of which is on the same level as wire 88. The vertical portions of wire 109 extend upward ly in the same manner as wires 92. The bottom of the silverware basket rests on wires 88 andl09. A radial wire 110 joints these wires, as shown in Fig. 7. To maintain the silverware basket'in proper position, two arcuate wires 112 and 113 extend, at different levels etween the vertical-portions of Wire 109, and a single 'Wire 111 extends from wire 86 about the rear portion of the basket and is joined to the vertical portion of the wire 90 adjacent the opposite side of the basket.

A series of wire holders are arranged in said lower rack so as to provide a holder for the articles placed therein. One group of these wire holders extends between the inner ring 85 and the intermediate ring 86, and is adapted to support the smaller fiat dishes, such as plates, onedge with their concave surfaces .substantially vertical and tangent to the mean circumference of the water deflector or impeller '35. The holders are formed and positioned to support the dishes in such position that the tangential lines on which they are set will intersect the path of spray projected centrifugally by the impeller. The spray may be considered as being tangentially projected from the middle of the concave projector at the top of the impeller 35, The intermediate and outer rings 86 and 87 are concentric with the center 89 of the lower rack which also coincides.

with the center of the machine. The innermost ring 85 is eccentrically located. This results in a variation in the length of the Wire holders between the rings 85 and 86 dependent upon their particular position on the circumference of the lower rack 51. As a result holders of graduated length are provided for the dishes. The impeller turns clockwise looking downward upon it. It thus can be readily seen that the concave portion of the dishes will face the spray which is hurled or projected by the rapidly rotating impeller in the lower center of the machine.v The backs-of the plates, which are more readily cleansed, will receive the returning spray and streams or droplets of Water. The wires 90 are symmetrically spaced so that the maximum number of large dishes can be held around the inner circumference of the tank. In a tank of say 21 inches inside diameter there will be capacity for 25 plates of varying size in these graduated holders, allowing for the silverware container.

The vertical heights of the wires 90 are such that the plates canbe readily loaded and unloaded by taking hold of them above I wires 90 are shaped on the top so as to conform to the curvature of the dishes slightly the outer ring 87. The radial U-shaped wires 94 are attached to the concentric rings 86 and 88. and form the outer dish holders of the lower rack. The wires 94 are angularly' positioned to support the large dishes so that only the proper number can be conveniently placed on them. Their inner vertical por tion and the ring 87 are adapted to support the larger dishes so that they will lean slightly outwardly and face the center of the machine. The larger plates are caused to lean outwardly so that they will not come into contact with the smaller plates located in the central holders. In a tank of 21 inches inside diameter there will be room for 8 plates of large diameter in these outer dishholders.

The handles 95 constitute continuations of certain of the radial wires 94. They are of such a vertical height and curvature that they do not interfere with the placing of the larger diameter plates in the outer rack, or with the positioning of the upper rack. If desired they could be made of suflicient height to be utilized as supports for the upper rack. They are also shaped so that they will permit the lower rack full of dishes to be lifted past the supporting bead without injuring the operators hands.

The racks are coated with glass enamel or other suitable material to protect them from rusting and marking the dishes. They are preferably colored light gray so as to give them sanitary appearance. are made of stainless steel or other non-corrosive material, the protective coating can be omitted.

In the lower part of the tank is an im-' peller guard 100 (see Figures 1 and 8) which is provided with three outwardly projecting wires 101. These projecting wires 101 are supported at their extremities on the bottom of the tank adjacent to the jointure of the dished bottom 17 with the cylindrical wall. The lengths of the wires 101 are such that the wires will always be in tight contact with the tank at their extremities so as to place the central cage portion of the guard and the vertical plates 102 in'their proper positions,

- one of said plates being attached to each one of the roj ecting wires. These vertical plates 102, 0 which three are shown, will materially prevent swirling motion of the water contained in the frusto-conical portion 17 during operation of the machine. The plates are attached to the projecting arms 101 in such a manner thattheir' smooth surface will face away from the direction of rotation of the water. while theirirregular inner portions If these rackswill face toward the direction of water so that they will be automatically cleansed.

The impeller guard is also ositioned on the dished bottom of the tank a jacent to the impeller by a right angular and U-bend por-' tion 104 of the radial wires 101. The three radial projecting wires 101 terminate at an inner ring 105 to which they are welded. The central cage portion which is adapted to protect the impeller and prevent articles from coming into contact therewith, is made up of a'welded mesh of the concentric wires 105, 106, 107 and 108, and the radial wires 101. The wires 101 of the impeller guard will prevent the lower rack structure from turning within the tank during operation.

What is claimed is:

1. A dish rack of the type described, comprising an outer ring, an inner ring eccentric thereto, and wire partitions connecting said outer ring to said inner ring to form a graduated series of dish holders.

2. A dish rack of the type described, comprising an outer ring, a lower intermediate ring coaxial with said outer ring, an inner ring eccentric to said coaxial rings, and wire partitions connecting-said coaxial rings to said inner ring to form a series of graduated dish holders.

3. A dish rack of the type described, comprising an outer ring, an eccentric inner ring, Wire partitions, joining said rings to form a graduated series of dish holders, said partitions being dish-shaped and extending transversely of the radii of said outer ring.

4. A dish rack of the type described, comprising an outer ring, an intermediate ring coaxial therewith, dish supporting means connecting said coaxial rings, an inner ring eccentric to said coaxial rings, and wire partitions connecting said intermediate ring with said inner ring to form a graduated series of dish holders.

5. A dish rack of the type described, comprising an outer ring, an outer intermediate ring, an inner intermediate ring, said intermediate rings being coaxial with said duter termedi ate ring at a lower elevation than said outer intermediate ring, said intermediate rings being coaxial with said outer ring, an inner ring at a higher elevation than sald 1nner intermediate ring, said inner ring being eccentric to said coaxial rings, arcuate wire loops connecting said outer mtermedlate ring with said inner rlng to form a graduated series of dish holders and wires joining said inner intermediate rmg to said wire loops.

7. A dish rack of the type described, comprising an outer ring, an outer intermediate ring at a lower elevation than said outer rin radial U-shaped wires joinin said outer an outer intermediate rings to arm a circular dish holding compartment, the outer legs of two adjacent pans of said U-shaped wires being joined and extended upwardly to form diametrically opposed handles for said rack, an inner intermediate ring at a lower elevation than said outer intermediate ring,

said intermediate rings being coaxial with said outer ring, an inner ring at a higher elevation than said inner intermediate ring and eccentric to said coaxial rings, arcuate wire loops joining said outer intermediate ring to said inner ring to form a series of graduated dish holders and wires joining said inner intermediate ring to said legs.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my. name.

EDGAR s. STODDARD. 

